We had a surprise 80th birthday party for my grandma. This is a picture of her in Japan about the time she married my grandpa. She is an incredible woman. She and my grandfather met in Japan after WWII. He was in the Air Force stationed in Japan. My grandma, Ruri Nakazawa, was working in a store on the base. She worked in the sewing part of the store which was right next to the camera section. My grandpa would frequently go into the store to the camera area where he would always look for her. After they fell in love and got married, they moved back to Texas where she had to adjust to learning a new language and culture. She changed her name to Ruth because it was easier for Americans to pronounce. The name fit her well. "But Ruth replied, 'Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God my God.'" (Ruth 1:16) She was baptized when my mom, the oldest of five kids, was three years old. My grandparents have 5 children, 5 children-in-law, 11 grandchildren, 3 grandchildren-in-law, and one great-grandchild. My grandma is an exceptional cook, seamstress, and gardener. We traditionally have Japanese food for our Christmas or Thanksgiving meal. She has handmade a quilt for every child and grandchild. She extends love through the beauty and comfort of her home and her handiwork.
My cousins, Kasey and Bradyn, try using the cobbler for other purposes while their mothers warn them to stay in the kitchen and not be seen by Grandma and Grandpa's friends.
Ava won over the audience by announcing "Hap Birday" from the microphone. It took her a few tries to get it out because she was so surprised and amused by hearing her echo.
